Inline crankshaft journal

Abstract

A crankshaft and connecting rod configuration for use in piston engines comprises a crankshaft having a separable crank throw wherein the separable crank throw includes a pair of laterally separated throw arms supporting a crankpin therebetween. A pair of coplanar connecting rods is in rotational engagement with the crankpin. Each rod has a small end configured for rotational attachment to a piston and a large end configured for the rotational engagement with the crankpin. At least one retention ring engages a portion of the large end of each connecting rod for maintaining the large ends of the connecting rods in rotational engagement with the crankpin.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to the journaling of piston connecting rods to crankshafts in general and more particularly to the inline journaling of two connecting rods to a single crankpin of a crankshaft.[0003]2. Discussion of the Related Art[0004]Engines have become a common element in industry and in everyday lives to provide power for operating a wide range of machinery. The most common of these engines are steam and internal combustion piston driven engines. In its simplest form, a piston driven engine comprises one or more pistons that are linearly driven within a substantially closed cylinder by a pressurized gas such as steam or post-combustion gasses. The piston is rotatably connected with one end of a connecting rod with the opposite end of the connecting rod being rotatably connected to a crank throw on a crankshaft. Each crank throw has a crankpin whose axis is offset from that of the crankshaft. The end o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention is directed to an inline crankshaft journaling configuration that satisfies the need for opposing connecting rods that load the crankpin in a substantially coplanar manner. The crankshaft and connecting rod configuration for use in piston engines comprises a crankshaft having a separable crank throw wherein the separable crank throw includes a pair of laterally separated throw arms supporting a crankp

Problems solved by technology

Whether engines are of either single- or multi-cylinder design, the power strokes of the individual piston(s) impart a significant side load on the crankshaft.

This load is not constant but rather pulses in concert with the power strokes of the pistons thereby also inducing a cyclic and vibrational load to the crankshaft.

However, forked connecting rods are more expensive to fabricate and require more parts and assembly time than the side-by-side connecting rod configuration.

Additionally, since all connecting rods are not identical in this configuration with half of the connecting rods being forked and half being of single leg configuration, manufacturers must implement multiple fabrication lines and develop a plurality of tracking procedures with increased inventory which all unnecessarily lead to increased costs.

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